Gill

Pronunciation: /ɡɪl/

Definitions of gill

noun the fleshy flap of skin hanging below the beak of a bird, especially a chicken

Example Sentences

A1 Fish breathe through their gills.

A2 The diver saw the colorful gills of the tropical fish.

B1 The scientist studied the anatomy of the fish's gill structure.

B2 The fisherman carefully removed the hook from the fish's gills.

C1 The marine biologist conducted research on the evolution of gills in fish species.

C2 The intricate network of blood vessels in the gills allows for efficient oxygen exchange in aquatic animals.

Examples of gill in a Sentence

formal The fish uses its gills to extract oxygen from the water.

informal I heard that the fish breathes through its gills.

slang I saw a dude with gills at the beach, it was wild!

figurative She had a sharp wit, like a gill that could cut through any conversation.

Grammatical Forms of gill

• past tense: gilled
• plural: gills
• comparative: more gill
• superlative: most gill
• present tense: gills
• future tense: will gill
• perfect tense: have gilled
• continuous tense: is gilling
• singular: gill
• positive degree: gill
• infinitive: to gill
• gerund: gilling
• participle: gilling

Origin and Evolution of gill

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old Norse

Story behind the word: The word 'gill' originated from Middle English 'gille' or 'gylle' which came from Old Norse 'gylle', meaning 'cleft or ravine'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'gill' expanded to refer to the respiratory organ of fish and other aquatic animals, as well as a unit of liquid measurement.